Storage rack assembly with dual-rail truss-beam

ABSTRACT

A double-wide, drive in storage rack assembly for supporting loads on pallets including horizontal truss beams and stiffener panels at load-supporting levels constructed to increase the rigidity of the rack and/or minimize the amount of steel used in the rack. In some examples, the storage rack assembly includes mill-building bracing.

BACKGROUND

Storage rack assemblies are used to store multiple palletized loads,containing, for example, goods in a space efficient manner. Storage rackassemblies are commonplace in warehouses and some types of consumerstores (e.g., home improvement stores, membership wholesale club stores,etc.). The palletized loads are typically placed in the storage rackassembly using pallet loading equipment, such as a forklift, crane, orpowered shuttle cart.

In a storage rack assembly, palletized loads are stored in one or moreadjacent lanes or bays. At least one end of each lane is open so thatthe pallet loading equipment may enter into the assembly to place thepalletized loads in the storage rack assembly. The first palletized loadwill be placed at the far end of the lane. Subsequent palletized loadswill be placed adjacent to the already placed palletized loads. In thismanner, the lane will be filled from far end to open end. Palletizedloads may be stored on one or more elevated levels, as well as a floorlevel.

Because the palletized loads may be heavy, the assembly must beconstructed to remain rigid even while supporting heavy loads. Often,such storage rack assemblies are constructed using large quantities ofsteel or similar strong, rigid materials. Such quantities may beexpensive and may raise the cost of the storage rack assembly, however.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect a first example rack assembly is disclosed. The firstexample assembly includes a first side and a second side. The first andsecond sides are parallel to each other. Each of the first and secondsides comprises a plurality of vertically disposed posts. The firstexample assembly additionally includes a first truss beam and a secondtruss beam, The first and second truss beams are oriented horizontallyand are parallel to and coplanar with each other. The first truss beamis secured to the vertical posts of the first side and the second trussbeam is secured to the vertical posts of the second side. The firstexample assembly additionally includes a stiffener panel. The stiffenerpanel is oriented horizontally and is coplanar with and perpendicular tothe side truss beams. The stiffener panel is secured to the first trussbeam and the second truss beam.

In a second aspect a second example rack assembly is disclosed. Thesecond example assembly includes a front end and a rear end. The secondexample assembly also includes a plurality of support assembliesextending from the front end to the rear end. Each of the supportassemblies includes a plurality of vertically disposed and parallelsupport structures. Additionally, the second example assembly includes aplurality of horizontally disposed and coplanar truss beams. The trussbeams extend from the front end to the rear end. The truss beams beingpositioned vertically at one or more load-supporting levels. The trussbeams being secured to the support structures in a support assembly. Thesecond example assembly also includes a plurality of horizontallydisposed stiffener panels disposed perpendicular to the supportassemblies. One of the stiffener panels being positioned between eachpair of adjacent support assemblies at each load-supporting level, andthe stiffener panels being secured to one or more truss beams. Eachtruss beam is secured to each of the support structures in one of thesupport assemblies.

In a third aspect, an example storage rack, arranged in lanes forsupporting loads on pallets, is disclosed. The example storage rackincludes a first plurality of individual support structures spaced apartin the down-lane direction and extending laterally between a rear end ofthe rack and a front end of the rack. The columns being positioned alonga first side of the rack. Additionally, the example storage rackincludes a second plurality of support structures spaced apart in thedown-lane direction and extending laterally between a rear end of therack and a front end of the rack. The second plurality of supportstructures being positioned laterally in the cross lane direction fromthe first plurality of support structures along a second side of therack. The example storage rack also includes a plurality of support armson each of the support structures. The support arms being spaced apartvertically on the columns to extend horizontally out from the columns inthe cross-lane direction at a plurality of load-supporting levels. Thesupport arms on each column being located in horizontal alignment withsupport arms on adjacent columns down-lane and cross-lane to provideload support at the levels. The support arms being secured to thecolumns. Additionally, the example storage rack includes a plurality ofpairs of truss beams extending laterally in the down-lane directionbetween the rear end of the rack and the front end of the rack at eachload-supporting level. Each of the truss beams includes a first rail anda second rail. The first rail and the second rail being spaced aparthorizontally in the cross-lane direction. Each truss beam including aplurality of horizontal support braces extending perpendicularly fromthe first rail to the second rail and a plurality of horizontal supportbraces extending diagonally from the first rail to the second rail. Eachtruss beam being secured to one or more of the support arms. The examplestorage rack also includes a plurality of stiffener truss beams. Eachstiffener truss beam extending laterally in the cross-lane direction ateach load-supporting level. Each stiffener truss beam being positionedat the rear end of the rack. Each stiffener truss beam comprising afirst rail and a second rail. The first rail and the second rail beingspace apart horizontally in the down-lane direction. Each stiffenertruss beam including a plurality of horizontal support braces extendingperpendicularly from the first rail to the second rail and a pluralityof horizontal support braces extending diagonally from the first rail tothe second rail. Each pair of truss beam being secured to one of thestiffener truss beams.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Aspects of the disclosure may be more completely understood inconsideration of the following detailed description of variousembodiments of the disclosure in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example double-wide drive-in storagerack assembly.

FIG. 2 is a down-lane perspective view of the double-wide drive-instorage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a down-lane perspective view of a single storage location ofthe double-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the double-wide drive-in storage rack assemblyof FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the double-wide drive-in storage rack assemblyof FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is top view of the double-wide drive-in storage rack assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an interior tie beam and stiffener panelof the double-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an example interior tie beam of the double-wide drive-instorage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is an example stiffener panel of the double-wide drive-in storagerack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the connection between a truss beam anda support arm of the double-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG.1.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an example single-sided support arm of thedouble-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the single-sided support arm of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is front view of an example double-sided support arm of thedouble-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the double-sided support arm of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a bottom view of an example load-supporting level of thedouble-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a front, cross-sectional view of the load-supporting level ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a front view of another example double-wide drive-in storagerack assembly.

FIG. 18 is perspective view of the mill-building bracing of thedouble-wide drive-in storage rack assembly of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a side view of the double-wide drive-in storage rack assemblyof FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The example embodiments described in the following disclosure areprovided by way of illustration only and should not be construed aslimiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the exampleembodiments described below without departing from the true spirit andscope of the disclosure.

The present disclosure relates generally to a drive-in storage rack.More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a double-widedrive-in storage rack with dual-rail truss-beams.

In the following example embodiments, the double-wide drive-in storagerack is constructed with dual-rail truss-beams to accomplish one or moreof the following: a) increase the rigidity of the storage rack; and/orb) minimize the amount of steel used in the storage rack. Although thepresent disclosure is not so limited, an appreciation of the variousaspects of the disclosure will be gained through a discussion of theexamples provided below.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an example double-widedrive-in storage rack assembly 100 is shown. The storage rack 100 isoriented along a down-lane direction 102 and a cross-lane direction 104.The cross-lane direction 104 is perpendicular to the down-lane direction102.

The storage rack includes multiple support assemblies. In someembodiments, a support assembly is formed from a plurality of linearlyaligned support structures. For example, support structures 110, 112,114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128, and 130 form a first supportassembly. Similarly, support structures 140, 142, 144, 146, and sevenunlabeled support structures form a second support assembly. And supportstructures 150, 152, 154, 156, and seven unlabeled support structuresform a third plurality of linearly aligned support structures. Althoughstorage rack 100 includes eleven support structures in each supportassembly, some embodiments of storage rack 100 include supportassemblies formed from more or fewer support structures.

Each pair of adjacent support assemblies forms a lane or bay withinwhich palletized loads may be stored. For example, a first lane isformed between the first and second support assemblies, and a secondlane is formed between the second and third support assemblies. Althoughthe embodiment of storage rack 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes two lanes, astorage rack may include more or fewer lanes. In fact, the embodiment ofstorage rack 100 shown in FIG. 1 is truncated from a larger storage rackassembly.

One of the support structures in each support assembly is adjacent tothe front of the storage rack. For example, support structures 110, 140,and 150 are adjacent to the front of the storage rack. Similarly, one ofthe support structures in each support assembly is adjacent to the rearof the storage rack. For example, support structure 130 is adjacent tothe rear of the storage rack.

In some embodiments, the support structures are formed from a singlevertically disposed post. In other embodiments, the support structuresare formed from an upright frame assembly comprising multiple verticallydisposed posts that are welded or bolted together. Yet other embodimentsof the support structures are possible as well. The support structuresmay be formed from steel or other materials. In some embodiments, thesupport structures are secured to the floor or any other flat, stablesurface. The support structures may be secured using screws, bolts,other fasteners, or any other means.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a down-lane perspective view of storagerack 100 is shown. FIG. 3 primarily shows a single storage location 250of storage rack 100. Each lane is divided into multiple vertical storagelocations by pairs of truss beams that form load-supporting levels. Thefirst lane is divided into three storage locations 250, 252, and 254.Similarly, the second lane is also divided into three storage locations256, 258, and 260.

In the first lane, truss beams 200 and 202 are part of a firstload-supporting level, separating storage location 250 from storagelocation 252, and truss beams 210 and 212 are part of secondload-supporting level, separating storage location 252 from storagelocation 254. Similarly, in the second lane, truss beams 220 and 222 arepart of a first load-supporting level, separating storage location 256from storage location 258, and truss beams 230 and 232 are part of asecond load-supporting level, separating storage location 258 fromstorage location 260. In some embodiments, each load-supporting levelincludes one or more stiffener panels adjacent to the rear of thestorage rack. For example, storage rack 100 includes stiffener panels204, 214, 224, and 234. Although the embodiment of storage rack 100shown includes two load-supporting levels, other embodiments of storagerack 100 include more or fewer load-supporting levels. Similarly, astorage rack may also be configured with more or fewer storage locationsthan the illustrated embodiment. Palletized loads may be stored on theload-supporting levels. In addition, palletized loads may be stored onthe floor below the first load-supporting level.

Pairs of corresponding support structures in adjacent support assembliesmay be connected by top braces. For example, support structures 110 and140 are connected by top brace 240 and support structures 140 and 150are connected by top brace 242.

The sides of a storage location are defined by the support assemblies.For example, the sides of storage location 250 are defined by a firstsupport assembly 320, including support structure 110, and a secondsupport assembly 322, including support structure 140. Each supportstructure in the first support assembly is separated from thecorresponding support structure in the second support assembly by adistance 310 in the cross-lane direction. Distance 310 is greater thantwice the width of a pallet. Accordingly, two palletized loads may beplaced side-by-side in a storage location. In some embodiments, distance310 is eight feet. Other embodiments with a distance 310 of between fourfeet and twelve feet are possible as well. Yet other embodiments with ashorter or longer distance 310 are possible as well.

The top of the storage location 250 is defined by truss beams 200, 202and stiffener panel 204, which together form a load-supporting level.This load-supporting level also defines the bottom of storage location252. Truss beams 200 and 202 are separated by a distance 312 in thecross-lane direction. Distance 312 is greater than the width of all or aportion of the pallet loading equipment. In some embodiments, distance312 is greater than the width of the mast portion of a forklift. Inother embodiments, distance 312 is greater than width of the mast, body,and overhead guard of a forklift. Accordingly, the pallet loadingequipment may enter the front of storage location 250 and move in thedown-lane direction towards to the rear of the storage rack whileelevating the palletized load above truss beams 200 and 202 withoutcontacting truss beams 200 and 202. In some embodiments, distance 312 isfour feet. Other embodiments with a distance 312 of between one foot andseven feet are possible as well. Yet other embodiments with a shorter orlonger distance 312 are possible as well.

In this manner, the pallet loading equipment may be used to placepalletized loads into storage location 252 by lifting a pair ofside-by-side palletized loads up and above truss beams 200 and 202 andthen moving the pallet loading equipment in the down-lane direction withthe pallet loading equipment fitting between truss beams 200 and 202.When the palletized loads are in position, the palletized loads arelowered so that the bottom of the palletized loads rest on truss beams200 and 202.

Truss beam 200 is secured to support structure 110 with single-sidedsupport arm 306. Truss beam 202 is secured to support structure 140 withdouble-sided support arm 308. Support arm 308 also secures supportstructure 140 to truss beam 220, which defines the top of storagelocation 256. As shown in and discussed with respect to FIG. 4, trussbeams are also secured to many of the other support structures withsingle- or double-sided support arms as well.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a side view of storage rack 100 is shown. Insome embodiments, adjacent support structures are connected with one ormore diagonally disposed support braces and one or more horizontallydisposed support braces. For example, support structures 110 and 112 areconnected by diagonally disposed support braces 400, 402, 404, 406, 408and horizontally disposed support braces 410, 412, 414, 416, 418, and420. Adjacent pairs of support structures 114 and 116; 118 and 120; 122and 124; and 128 and 130 are also connected to each other by diagonallyand horizontally disposed support braces. In the illustrated embodiment,the support braces provide additional rigidity for the supportstructures. In some embodiments, adjacent support structures are notconnected by support braces.

Truss beams 200 and 210 are disposed in the down-lane direction at afirst and second load-supporting level, respectively. Truss beam 200 issecured to the support structures of first support assembly 320 bysingle-sided support arms 306, 430, 432, 434, 436, 438, 440, 442, and444. Similarly, truss beam 210 is secured to the support structures offirst support assembly 320 by single-sided support arms 450, 452, 454,456, 458, 460, 462, 464, and 466. In the embodiment of storage rack 100shown in FIG. 4, some of the truss beams are secured to interior supportassemblies with double-sided support arms.

In some embodiments, the two rearmost support structures in each supportassembly are not as tall as the other support structures. For example,support structures 128 and 130 are not as tall as the other supportstructures of first support assembly 320. Due to support structures 128and 130 proximity to the stiffener panels in the rear of the storageracks, support structures 128 and 130 may not need the additionalstiffness provided by a top brace. Consequently, support structures 128and 130 are shorter, lighter, and less expensive to build. In otherembodiments, the two rearmost support structures are the same height asthe other support structures and may be connected with a top brace. Topbraces are shown in and discussed with respect to FIG. 5.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a front view of storage rack 100 is shown. Topbrace 240 is secured to the top of support structures 110 and 140. Topbrace 242 is secured to support structures 140 and 150. Similarly,storage rack 100 includes top braces connecting many of the supportstructures to the corresponding post in the adjacent support assembly.The top braces increase the rigidity of the support structures.

Example palletized loads 520, 522, 524, and 526, which are not part ofstorage rack 100, are shown to illustrate a function of storage rack100. Palletized loads 520 and 522 are placed side-by-side in storagelocation 250 and rest on the floor below storage rack 100. Palletizedloads 524 and 526 are placed side-by-side in storage location 252. Aportion of palletized load 524 rests on truss beam 202, while theremainder is not supported from below. Similarly, a portion ofpalletized load 526 rests on truss beam 200, while the remainder is notsupported from below. Palletized loads 524 and 526 lean against eachother to prevent either of the palletized loads from falling through thegap in between truss beams 200 and 202. As long as the storage rack isrigid and the horizontal surfaces are positioned correctly for the widthof the pallets, palletized loads 524 and 526 will not fall through thegap.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a top view of storage rack 100 is shown incross section at the location indicated by the line on FIG. 4. Trussbeams 210, 212, 230, and 232 run in the down-lane direction from thefront to the rear of storage rack 100. Stiffener panels 214 and 234 areadjacent to the rear of the storage rack. Stiffener panel 214 is securedto truss beam 210 and 212. Similarly, stiffener panel 234 is secured totruss beams 230 and 232. The stiffener panel provides greater rigidityto the truss beams. The combination of the stiffener panel and trussbeams creates a rigid structure for the entire storage rack.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the rear portion of alane of storage rack 100 is shown. Internal tie beams 700 and 702connect support structure 128 to support structure 728 and supportstructure 130 to support structure 730, respectively. The internal tiebeams may be secured to the support structures by any means, such as byusing a fastener or by welding.

Outer rail 704 and inner rail 706 of truss beam 200 are connected to andsupported by internal tie beams 700 and 702. Similarly, outer rail 710and inner rail 708 of truss beam 202 are also connected to and supportedby internal tie beams 700 and 702. The internal tie beams may be securedto the rails of the truss beams by any means, such as by using afastener or by welding. The internal ties beams provide additionalrigidity for the truss beams.

Stiffener panel 204 is secured to inner rail 706 and inner rail 708. Thestiffener panel may be secured to the rails of the truss beams by anymeans, such as by using a fastener or by welding. The stiffener panelprovides additional rigidity to the truss beams.

The rear ends of rails 704, 706, 708, and 710 include stoppers 712, 714,716, and 718, respectively. The stoppers prevent palletized loads thatare loaded on the truss beam from sliding off the back of storage rack100.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an example internal tie beam 800 is shown. Tiebeam 800 is configured to be secured to a first support structure withbolt holes 802, 804, 806, and 808. Similarly, tie beam 800 is configuredto be secured to a second support structure with bolt holes 826, 828,830, and 832. Tie beam 800 is configured to be secured to the outer railof a first truss beam with bolt holes 810 and 812 and the inner rail ofa first truss beam with bolt holes 814 and 816. Similarly, tie beam 800is configured to be secured to the outer rail of a second truss beamwith bolt holes 822 and 824 and the inner rail of a second truss beamwith bolt holes 818 and 820. Although the embodiment of internal tiebeam 800 shown in FIG. 8 is configured to be secured with bolts, otherembodiments of internal tie beam 800 are configured to be secured usingother methods, such as by using a fastener or by welding.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a top view of an example stiffener panel 900 isshown. The panel includes horizontal braces 901 and 902, diagonal brace904, and end plates 906 and 908. The horizontal braces 901 and 902 aresecured to the end plates 906 and 908. Diagonal brace 904 is disposeddiagonally between and is secured to horizontal braces 901 and 902. Endplate 906 is configured to abut flat against the inner rail of a firsttruss beam and be secured thereto with bolt holes 910 and 912. End plate908 is configured to abut flat against the inner rail of a second trussbeam and be secured thereto with bolt holes 914 and 916. Although theembodiment of example stiffener panel 900 shown in FIG. 9 is configuredto be secured with bolts, other embodiments of stiffener panel 900 areconfigured to be secured using other methods, such as by using afastener or by welding.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a perspective view of a support arm and atruss beam is shown. Single-sided support arm 1000 is secured to supportstructure 112. Outer rail 704 of truss beam 200 is secured to supportarm 1000 with angled brackets 1002 and 1004. Similarly, inner rail 706of truss beam 200 is secured to support arm 1000 with angled brackets1006 and 1008. Although the embodiment of support arm 1000 shown in FIG.10 is configured to be secured to the support structures and truss beamswith angled brackets and bolts, other embodiments of support arm 1000are configured to be secured using other methods, such as by using afastener or by welding.

Although, the outer rail 704 and inner rail 706 of truss beam 200 areshown as a single continuous rail, other embodiments are possible. In analternate embodiment, outer rail 704 and inner rail 706 are each formedfrom two individual rails that abut each other at support arm 1000.Still other embodiments of outer rail 704 and inner rail 706 arepossible.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12, an example single-sided support arm1100 is shown. FIG. 11 shows a front view of support arm 1100. FIG. 12shows a top view of support arm 1100. Support arm 1100 includes ahorizontally disposed arm 1102 and vertically disposed bracket 1104.Bracket 1104 includes holes 1120, 1122, 1124, 1126, 1128, 1130, 1132,and 1134 for securing the bracket to a support structure. Arm 1102includes holes 1106, 1108, 1110 and 1112 for securing, using an angledbracket, support arm 1100 to the outer rail of a truss beam. Similarly,arm 1102 also includes holes 1114, 1116, 1118 and 1120 for securing,using an angled bracket, support arm 1100 to the inner rail of a trussbeam. In some embodiments, support arm 1100 is secured to supportstructures adjacent to the exterior of the storage rack.

Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14, an example double-sided support arm1300 is shown. FIG. 13 shows a front view of support arm 1300. FIG. 14shows a top view of support arm 1300. Support arm 1300 includes ahorizontally disposed arm 1302 and vertically disposed bracket 1304.Bracket 1304 includes holes 1320, 1322, 1324, 1326, 1328, 1330, 1332,and 1334 for securing support arm 1300 to a support structure. Arm 1302includes holes 1306 and 1308 for securing, using an angled bracket,support arm 1300 to the inner rail of a first truss beam. Arm 1302 alsoincludes holes 1310 and 1312 for securing, using an angled bracket,support arm 1300 to the outer rail of a first truss beam. Similarly, arm1302 includes holes 1318 and 1320 for securing, using an angled bracket,support arm 1300 to the inner rail of a second truss beam. Arm 1302 alsoincludes holes 1314 and 1316 for securing, using an angled bracket,support arm 1300 to the outer rail of a second truss beam. In someembodiments, double-sided support arm 1300 is secured to supportstructures in the interior of the storage rack.

Referring now to FIGS. 15 and 16, an example of first truss beam 1500and second truss beam 1550 of a load-supporting level is shown. FIG. 15shows a bottom view of first truss beam 1500 and second truss beam 1550.FIG. 16 shows a front view of first truss beam 1500 and second trussbeam 1550 in cross-section at the line indicated on FIG. 15.

First truss beam 1500 includes an inner rail 1502 and an outer rail1504. Outer rail 1504 is parallel to inner rail 1502. Outer rail 1504 issecured to inner rail 1502 by straight braces 1510, 1512, 1514, 1516,1518, 1520, 1522, 1524, 1526, and 1528. Outer rail 1504 is also securedto inner rail 1502 by diagonal braces 1530, 1532, 1534, 1536, and 1538.Similarly, second truss beam 1550 includes an inner rail 1552 and anouter rail 1554. Outer rail 1554 is secured to inner rail 1552 bystraight braces 1560, 1562, 1564, 1566, 1568, 1570, 1572, 1574, 1576,and 1578. Outer rail 1554 is also secured to inner rail 1552 by diagonalbraces 1580, 1582, 1584, 1586, and 1588. In some embodiments, inner rail1502 and outer rail 1504 are separated by a distance of two feet. Inother embodiments, inner rail 1502 and outer rail 1504 are separated bya distance of between one foot and four feet. Yet other embodiments witha smaller or greater separation between inner rail 1502 and outer rail1504 are possible as well.

Although the embodiments of first truss beam 1500 and second truss beam1550 shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 each includes ten straight braces and fivediagonal braces, other embodiments of first truss beam 1500 and secondtruss beam 1550 include more or fewer straight braces and more or fewerdiagonal braces in similar or alternative orientations.

Outer rail 1504 of first truss beam 1500 and outer rail 1554 of secondtruss beam 1550 are formed in an L shape with the arm disposed upwards.Inner rail 1502 of first truss beam 1500 and inner rail 1552 of secondtruss beam 1550 are also formed in an L shape but with the arm disposeddownwards.

Additionally, in some embodiments, outer rails 1504 and 1554 includeflared portions 1506 and 1556. Flared portions 1506 and 1556 are angledaway from inner rails 1502 and 1552, respectively, creating a wideropening for entering the lane with a palletized load. Flared portions1506 and 1556 are adjacent to the front of the storage rack.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a front view of an alternate embodiment of adouble-wide drive-in storage rack assembly 1700, which includes“mill-building” bracing or trusses, is shown. Storage rack assembly 1700is similar to storage rack 100 (shown in FIGS. 1-8). Storage rackassembly 1700 includes a plurality of support structures arranged in aplurality of support assemblies that are oriented in the down-lanedirection. The support assemblies are separated from each other by adistance that is greater than twice the width of a pallet, forming lanesthat can accommodate two side-by-side palletized loads. The lanes aredivided vertically into storage locations 1820, 1822, 1824, 1826, 1828,and 1830. For example, the first lane is divided into storage location1820, 1822, and 1824. Storage location 1822 is formed above storagelocation 1820 and is separated from storage location 1820 by a firstload-supporting level, defined by truss beams 1760 and 1860 andstiffener panel 1802. Similarly, storage location 1824 is formed abovestorage location 1822 and is separated from storage location 1822 by asecond load-supporting level, defined by truss beams 1762 and 1862 andstiffener panel 1804.

One additional element of storage rack assembly 1700 is mill-buildingbracing. The mill-building bracing is disposed in the cross-lanedirection 104 to connect a support structure from one support assemblyto the corresponding support structures in an adjacent support assembly.The mill-building braces provide greater rigidity to the adjacentsupport structures. For example, mill-building brace 1740 connectssupport structure 1710 to support structure 1810. The bottom of brace1740 forms the top of storage location 1824. Brace 1740 is positionedabove truss beams 1762 and 1862 by a distance 1800. Distance 1800 is adistance that is large enough to accommodate the height of a palletizedload plus a lift-off height. The lift-off height is a buffer that allowsthe palletized load to be lifted above truss beams 1762 and 1862 so thatthe palletized load can be moved without dragging on truss beams 1762and 1862. In some embodiments, the lift-off height is between four andsix inches. The components of brace 1740 are described in more detail inFIG. 18.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a perspective view of storage rack assembly1700 is shown, which focuses on mill-building brace 1740. Brace 1740includes horizontal tie beams 1840 and 1848, which are both secured on afirst end to support structure 1710 and on a second end to supportstructure 1810. Brace 1740 also includes support brace 1844, which issecured to and disposed vertically between tie beams 1840 and 1848.Similarly, support braces 1842 and 1846 are secured to and disposeddiagonally between tie beams 1840 and 1848. In other embodiments, feweror more braces are disposed diagonally or vertically.

Referring now to FIG. 19, a side view of storage rack assembly 1700 isshown. Mill-building braces 1740, 1742, 1744, 1746, 1748, 1750, 1752,1754, and 1756 are disposed in the cross-lane direction from supportstructures 1710, 1712, 1714, 1716, 1718, 1720, 1724, and 1726 of a firstsupport assembly to connect to the corresponding support structures of asecond support assembly.

In some embodiments, the two rearmost support structures in each supportassembly are not connected with mill-building braces. For example,support structures 1728 and 1730 are not secured to a mill-buildingbrace. Due to support structures 1728 and 1730 proximity to thestiffener panels in the rear of the storage racks, support structures1728 and 1730 may not need the additional stiffness provided by amill-building brace. In other embodiments, the two rearmost supportstructures may be connected with a mill-building brace.

All of the components of the illustrated embodiments may be formed fromsteel or any other similar rigid material.

The above disclosure is directed to a double-wide drive-in storage rackconstructed with dual-rail truss-beams to increase rigidity and minimizethe amount of steel used in the storage rack. However, the storage rackis not limited to applications involving double-wide drive-in storageracks. In general, the disclosed storage rack can be used inapplications of any width.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A storage rack, arranged in lanes for supportingloads on pallets, the storage rack comprising: a first plurality ofsupport structures spaced apart in a down-lane direction and extendinglaterally between a rear end of the rack and a front end of the rack,the support structures being positioned along a first side of the rack;a second plurality of support structures spaced apart in the down-lanedirection and extending laterally between the rear end of the rack andthe front end of the rack, the second plurality of support structuresbeing positioned laterally in a cross lane direction from the firstplurality of support structures along a second side of the rack; aplurality of support arms on each of the support structures, the supportarms being spaced apart vertically on columns to extend horizontally outfrom the columns in the cross-lane direction at a plurality ofload-supporting levels, the support arms on each column being located inhorizontal alignment with support arms on adjacent columns down-lane andcross-lane to provide load support at the levels, the support arms beingsecured to the columns; a plurality of pairs of truss beams extendinglaterally in the down-lane direction between the rear end of the rackand the front end of the rack at each load-supporting level, each of thetruss beams comprising a first rail and a second rail, the first railand the second rail being spaced apart horizontally in the cross-lanedirection, each truss beam including a plurality of groups of coplanar,horizontal support braces, wherein each group of coplanar, horizontalsupport braces includes two perpendicular support braces extendingperpendicularly from the first rail to the second rail and a diagonalsupport brace extending diagonally from the first rail to the secondrail, wherein a first end of the diagonal support brace is disposedunder at least a portion of the first rail and a second end of thediagonal support brace is disposed under at least a portion of thesecond rail, each truss beam being secured to one or more of the supportarms; and a plurality of stiffener truss beams, each stiffener trussbeam extending laterally in the cross-lane direction at eachload-supporting level, each stiffener truss beam being positioned at therear end of the rack, each stiffener truss beam comprising a first railand a second rail, the first rail and the second rail being space aparthorizontally in the down-lane direction, each stiffener truss beamincluding a plurality of horizontal support braces extendingperpendicularly from the first rail to the second rail and a pluralityof horizontal support braces extending diagonally from the first rail tothe second rail; and wherein each pair of truss beam in the plurality ofpairs of truss beams is secured to one of the stiffener truss beams. 2.The storage rack of claim 1, wherein each truss beam further comprises afirst stopper secured to the rear end of the first rail of the trussbeam and a second stopper secured to the rear end of the second rail ofthe truss beam.